Desperate?
Dearly beloved of God, it seems that when people’s circumstances are desperate or hopeless, they will try just about anything to obtain God’s help. Some will plead with Him, others will bargain with Him, and some will even sacrifice to curry His favor. Maybe you have been at that point in your life; I have.
God reveals the simple truth of how to receive from Him in Hebrews 6. “But without believing it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”
What is believing? Believing is to trust that it will be as God says it will be. Let me give you a few examples.
When the Apostle Paul was a prisoner on a ship that was trapped in a hurricane force storm for many days (called Euroclydon in the Mediterranean); the cargo lost, the sails destroyed, the ship breaking up, all hope that they should be saved was lost, and the guards wanted to kill him to be sure he did not escape, God sent Paul a message delivered by an angel.
Afterwards, the Apostle Paul told them, “I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship, for there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar; and lo, God has given you all them that sail with you.’ Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me.”
“I believe that it shall be even as it was told me.” That’s believing, and believing is how we receive anything from God, from salvation to answered prayer.
Another example is recorded for our learning in the book of Luke. God sent the angel Gabriel to deliver a message to Mary for Him. He told her that she was going to conceive by Divine conception, and have a son; Jesus. She responded, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy Word.”
A few verses later, inspired by the holy spirit, Elizabeth said, “Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” It came to pass because she believed what God said to her in the message.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “For this cause thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.”
It is not important whether an angel delivers the message, if the message comes in a letter, if someone tells you the message, or if you receive revelation: believe it and it will be as God says it will be. Don’t be desperate, only believe.